The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1887-09-08


engaged in fearful war. A million OF
and were fighting its battles. Those
long, dreadful years brought sorrow to
many homes, for from every village and
town, from every neighborhood and from
almost every freside, loved ones had
gone; every day to some one "up North"
came tidings of death; in camp, in hos
pital, on the battlefield, brave men yield.
ed up their lives and the light of other
lives was darkened as the word reached
far-awsy homes.
Sometimes it was great general who
fell, and then q Nation mourned again,
a man of local prominence and reputa-
ton was the victim, and large commu-
mites were in gloom; and still again,
some old veteran, gray with years and
hardships, laid down his arms before the
Great Conquerer, and wife and children
were stricken to the heart. But the
keenest anguish of those years was felt
by those whose sons-mere boys-had
left them as did so many thousands in
the first flush of manhood, and, always
the bravest of the brave, fallen-at Pitts
burgh Landing or at Gettysburg, at Chic
amauga, or in the wilderness or some
other fight, for wherever our armies went
these boy.soldiers rallied closely round
the flag and went down under the fiercest
fire.
So in life the saddest death is that
which comes to the young. When one
of us of ripper age, who, however feebly
and ineficiently has borne the heat and
burden of the day, and is looking, per
haps longingly, for sunset, is smitten
down there are, Of course, regrets, even
deep sorrow, but the pain is lessened by
the feeling that his work was done, his
career in life fixed that there were no
more fields for him to reap, no more VIC
tories for him to gain-only few more
years at best of waiting for the summons.
But when young man, full of life and
eager in the strife, pushing with bold
strokes to the front, is struck and turns
away to die, there fall with him infinite
desires, infinite hopes and infinite pos.
sibilities-all that might have been had
he but lived.
Such q death occurred in our midst
last week. and in laying this slight trib.
ute upon the new-made grave Of Hugh
show my appreciation of q character
which has few equals among the young
of our community.
I attempt no eulogy he was known
to US all. His purity Of character, the
earnest, sincere, manly attributes Of his
nature, bis genial, frank manners, hif
candor and his courtesy to all require nc
rehearsal here. Despising shams, he
ruthlessly exposed them hating wrong
he fearlessly attacked It; clinging &
right as he saw the right, he never finch
ed in its defense. II he made mistakes
they were bravely made and in gooi
cause, the cause of right.
Longing for wider fields of labor he
stored his mind to fit him for the greater
work. Upright in conduct, fair to all
he won friends and held the respect o
those whom he opposed; ready of Wi
and quick to perceive, he enlivened tn,
field Of journalism in which he labored
and bade fair to fill high and usefu
position in society. Already he hat
taken place as q former of opinion in hi
community, and, best Of all, his growing
power was always welded for good.
But he has fallen in his first campaign
and only his memory and example re
main to us. If all who knew him cal
leave such memories and such examples
as did he, all will be well!
We wonder why the corn shrivel
whilst the weeds flourish we wonde
why the beautiful young tree is blaste,
whilst the gnarled, unsightly old trunl
survives; we wonder why the world
workers are called away when the worl
. has such need OF workers. Let US no
question the Masters dealings. Lean
ing ON Faith here we know that all vii
be made clear hereafter.
; 'For smils 70 think Gods greatness
:. Rests around our incompleteneees